Preview: Lyon – Angers

Lyon will try to maintain their Champions League qualification challenge going into this round 20 game. Angers are in a struggle at the wrong end of the Ligue 1 (L1) table and currently sit 19th, but will be hoping to jump out of the relegation zone with a positive result here.

Flashscore presents the key facts before the match:

In 25 previous meetings at Lyon Stadium , Lyon have won 15, Angers have won four and the other six games were drawn. However, Lyon have the better record in recent history, winning four of their last five encounters in all competitions (W4, D1, L0). In the reverse fixture, Lyon conceded the draw (3-3) after leading 3-1 until the 58th minute. However, they were reduced to ten men after Marcelo was sent off in the 50th minute.

On a good run of four straight wins in L1, Lyon occupy third place, level on point with Monaco (second). After their two wins in a row against Marseille (2-0) and Toulouse (1-2), Bruno Génésio’s men started the new year with an away win against Ligue 2 (L2) side Nancy (3-2), and escaping extra time thanks to a late Maxwel Cornet goal (90’+5 min). With ten goals in their last five games, Lyon have the advantage over Angers who have three goals in their last five games – this game could easily be a one-sided affair as much as it could be a high-scoring fixture.

Currently 19th in the L1 standings, Stéphane Moulin’s side come into this game with two straight tournament losses at home – Lorient (L2) in the French Cup (2-0) and Montpellier (1-0) in the League Cup. In his recent press conference, Coach Steph Moulin said: “Against Lyon it will be difficult, but we will play our chance. In this match, as in the rest of the season, our state of mind will be essential”.

Players to watch: Lyon’s best player so far this season has been Nabil Fekir who has 13 goals and 2 assists in L1. The 24-year-old proved his recent form by finding the net in his last three matches in all competitions. Liverpool are rumoured to be interested and he could put himself in the shop window with a goal here.

On the other hand, Angers striker Karl Toko Ekambi has been directly involved in half of his team’s total goals. Indeed, he has a record of nine goals and two assists in L1 so far, this season.

Stat attack: Lyon are in great goalscoring form in this campaign with 46 goals in 19 games, which is their highest total in the competition at this stage. Indeed, they are the joint-second best attack in the league, level with the title-holders Monaco. Angers will have to solve their problems at the back, as they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last ten L1 games. Moreover, they have won only one of their last nine away games in L1 (W1, D5 L3), at Caen in October (2-0). Conversely, Lyon have lost only one of their last 11 L1 clashes at home (W6, D4, L1), back in November against Lille (1-2).